Campaign Encourages Residents to Support Local Businesses

Asheville -- November 22, 2024: This holiday season, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce launches Bizzy Bear,

a fun and festive way to support local businesses while embracing community spirit. Presented by Spectrum and Duke Energy, Bizzy Bear encourages residents and visitors alike to explore Asheville’s vibrant downtown and beyond, shopping small and local.

“Let’s make this holiday season one to remember by supporting the businesses that make Asheville and Buncombe County special,” said Erin Leonard, VP of Communications for the Asheville Chamber. “Bizzy Bear is your perfect guide to local holiday magic.”

The Hunt Begins: Saturday, November 23rd

Bizzy Bear kicks off during the Holiday Jamboree in downtown Asheville! Here’s what to expect:

• Start your journey downtown: Stop by the Chamber booth in front of Hotel Arras for hot chocolate and popcorn, and pick up a handy map of downtown alongside a list of clues.
• Spot the Bizzy Bears: 20 stuffed bears, adorned with festive ribbons and Chamber tags, will be hidden in businesses across downtown. 
• Snap and share: On Instagram, follow the Chamber (@avlchamber) and find a bear, take a selfie, and tag the Chamber and the business on Instagram using the hashtag #AVLBizzyBear. Share the selfie as a post, not stories. Carousel posts are accepted as multiple entries.
• Win big: Each selfie will be entered into a drawing for some incredible cash prizes:
• $250 Grand Prize
• $150 Second Prize
• Two $50 Third Prizes

Winners from the kickoff will be announced at 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 23rd, at the Chamber’s booth. Winner will be contacted via Instagram.

Bizzy Bears About Town: November 24th – December 20th

After the Jamboree, the fun continues! Bizzy Bears will roam beyond downtown, spotlighting businesses throughout Asheville and Buncombe County. Each week, the Asheville Chamber will highlight a handful of bear locations on social media. 

• Clue-based exploration: Follow Asheville Chamber’s Instagram (@avlchamber) for hints about where the bears are hiding.
• Weekly prizes: Find a bear, post a selfie with #AVLBizzyBear and tag us to enter the weekly gift card drawings ($25–$50).
• Grant Prize: All entries go into a grand prize drawing on Monday, December 23rd, featuring local products and gift cards.

How to Enter

1. Follow the Asheville Chamber on Instagram (@avlchamber).
2. Post selfies with the Bizzy Bears you find on your Instagram. Share the selfie as a post, not a story. Carousel posts are accepted as multiple entries.
3. Use the hashtag #AVLBizzyBear and tag @avlchamber + the business if possible.

The Bizzy Bear campaign is sponsored by Spectrum as part of their overall commitment to supporting relief efforts and small businesses, including a $5000 contribution to the Asheville Chamber’s Mountain Strong Fund for Business Recovery. Altogether, Spectrum has committed $1 million, including $250,000 in cash contributions and $750,000 in in-kind public service announcement (PSA) airtime to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts. These contributions were intended to assist organizations that provided much needed aid and assistance to our community. During the Holiday Jamboree, Spectrum will also have several prize baskets filled with local products.

ABOUT THE ASHEVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

For 125 years, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has been the catalyst for economic vitality in our community. Asheville Chamber initiatives have stimulated economic development, influenced public policy and supported the growth of thousands of local and regional businesses.  

Today, the Asheville Chamber: 

• Fosters collaboration among business and community leaders from Asheville and throughout the region, 
• Connects businesses to the resources they need to be successful and 
• Takes a reasoned and thoughtful approach to advocating for business and community issues. 

Together with its members and partners, the Asheville Chamber nurtures a healthy business environment to create a better quality of life and future for the people who call our region home. 

Learn more at www.ashevillechamber.org.